MONROE -- Officers in Monroe honored their fallen, four-legged comrades on Wednesday.
A memorial ceremony for two K-9 police dogs took place at the Fallen Heroes Memorial site in front of the Monroe Police Department.
K-9 Robby was a retired police dog who died of natural causes -- And K-9 Mies died from injuries in a traffic accident in August while in the line of duty.
Several officers took turns at the podium saying their heartfelt and tearful goodbyes to Robby and Mies. MPD Chief Quentin Holmes says these dogs are the equivalent of a police officer.
"Just like they become a part of us, part of the family, we don't want anything to happen to them as well as one of us," he said. "When they pass, as you can see with members here today, they want to pay their respect as well, they were honorable, did a good job for the city and did a good job to protect us from harm."
Holmes and his force added that crimes are avoided lives are saved because of these police dogs, who also do work with children in schools.
The ceremony concluded with a prayer and a bugle Taps performance.
